Windshield wiper



Nov. 24, 1942. J. LE CLAIR 2,302,780

WINDSHIELD WIPER Filed Sept. 5, 1941 INVENTORU 75,1 Le CZazm 2 ATTORNEYPatented Nov. 24, 1 942 WINDSHIELD .InlesLeClah'J' mmuw' erndnle,. hairto Idella 8. Nicholle. Detroit, Mich. Application September 5, 1941,Serial No. 400,665

This invention relates to improvements in windshield wipers. When it issnowing. par icularly at temperatures around and slightly belowvfreezing, the blades of conventional wipers oiten freeze and becomerigid, and also masses of snow and slush frequently adhere to them. withthe resultthat their eiliciency becomes materially impaired.

It is an object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper withmeans for heating the blade sufllciently to prevent it becoming rigid,and also to prevent the adhesion of snow and slush thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a windshield wiper whichmay be readily mounted on a conventional operating arm and whichincludes a heating element having a lead-in wire which may be readilyconnected to the electrical system already installed in the vehicle. towhich it is to be applied.

Having thus briefly and broadly stated some of .the objects andadvantages of the invention I will now proceed to describe two preferredembodiments thereof with the aid of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my windshield wiper mounted inposition on a vehicle.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure3.

Figure 3 is an enlarged front view, and

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure Figure 5 is a sectionalview on the line 5-5 of Figure 6 showing a modified construction, and

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly'to Figures 1 to 4, Idesignates a U-shaped holder between the opposite sides of which a blade2 is suitably held so that its operating extremity projects forwardlytherefrom. In this instance the blade 2 consists of a plurality of thinflat pieces 3 of rubber or other flexible material lying one against theother. The U-shaped holder I is welded or otherwise suitably securedthroughout its length within a similarly shaped reflector 4 the sides ofwhich are outwardly spaced from the holder and preferably extendslightly beyond the latter toward the operating edge of the blade.Provided around the ends 0! the holder I are insulators 5, and extendingsubstantially aroundthe holder, and supported by these. insulators, is aheatingelement i, one extremity of which is grounded to the wiper, inthe present instance by directly when... it to the holder l, and itsopposite extremity lead-in wire I.

tor l is apertured at I for the passage 0! a supporting member 9therethrough which is secured to the holder I. This member is alsoprovided with any preferred means of attachment, as indicated at III, toa conventional operating arm II, Figure 1. In the present instance theinsulated lead-in wire I is shown extending through 1 the supportingmember 0 and extends from the latter into thevehicle body II forconnection to the electrical system within the said body.

the blade 21: consists of a single flexible element projecting outwardlyfrom a U-shaped holder Ia in which it is mounted. Formed longitudinallythrough the blade 2a toward its operating edge is element 60. extends.This element is preferably packed in suitable cement or other materialto form a good heat conductor between the said element and the blade tobe heated. In'this'instance one extremity of the element 0a is groundedthrough the holder in and a lead-in wire la is connected to its oppomteextremity. r

- From the foregoing freezing and to prevent the adhesion of snow andthe like thereto, so that the said blade will, remain flexible even whenmade up of a plurality of thin pieces of material as shown at 3 Figures2 and 3.

While the preferred vention have been described-and shown, it isunderstood that alterations and modifications may substantially U-shapedreflector secured to'the closed central portion of the holder and havingits sides outwardly spaced from the sides of said holder, and anelectric heating element extending along both sides and around the endsor the holder adjacent the extremity of the latter from which the bladeprojects, said element being car- 7 ried by the holderand insulatedtherefrom and is connected to an insulated 1 Substantially centrally ofits length the reflec- In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6,

an aperture 20 through which a heating 7 it will be clearly seen tha vsuiiicient heat is imparted to the blade, and par- 30 ticularly to itsoperating edge, to prevent its constructions of the 2 Y '2,so2,7s o

positioned between said holder and the adjacentsides of the reflectorwhereby heat from the element is directed against the blade sidesadjacent the windshield contacting surface of the blade.

2. A windshield wiper comprising a U-shaped 5 U-shaped reflector thefolded central portion of 10 which is mounted upon the folded and closedend of the holder, the sides of the reflector being outwardly spacedfrom the sides of the holder, and electric element extending along bothsides of the holder and spaced between the latter and the adjacent sides01' the reflector whereby heat is directed from the element against bothsides of the blade adjacent it contacting surface by said reflector.

JULES LE CLAIR.

